RSL: Rimando's next stop is with U.S. team

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Sandy • Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando will leave the club Sunday to join the U.S. men's national team in Seattle.

The 33-year-old Rimando will be available for Jurgen Klinsmann as the U.S. prepares for a World Cup qualifier against Panama on Tuesday at CenturyLink Field. The veteran goalkeeper will stay with the national team as it comes to Utah for a June 18 qualifier against Honduras in Rio Tinto Stadium.

"Having one of the games in my home stadium makes it truly special not only to represent the U.S., but also RSL, and I'll be ready if called upon," Rimando said when the call-ups were first announced.

Rimando has been a regular fixture under Klinsmann the past year. The goalie was on the sidelines for the United States' win over Alvaro Saborio's Costa Rica team in Denver and the draw against Mexico just a few days later. Rimando has six career caps for the United States, the last coming during a 1-0 friendly victory over Panama in January.

Rimando is the fourth and final MLS goalkeeper to log a stint with the national team during its latest camp. Chicago's Sean Johnson, D.C.'s Bill Hamid and Houston's Tally Hall each put in time with the team, backing up Premier League goalies Tim Howard and Brad Guzan.

A break in the MLS schedule will keep Rimando from missing any games for RSL. The team does not play again until June 22, when the Seattle Sounders come to town.

Rimando, however, will miss Wednesday's Open Cup match against the Charleston Battery.

Missing from action

International call-ups kept a number of big names out of Saturday's match between RSL and the Los Angeles Galaxy.

L.A. forward Robbie Keane was off with the Irish national team, and Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez was still recovering from a 1-0 U.S. victory in Jamaica. RSL was without leading scorer Saborio and defender Abdoulie Mansally, who was on national duty for Gambia. Salt Lake midfielder Luis Gil, a regular in the team's starting lineup, was also absent after leaving to join the U.S. Under-20 team in advance of the U-20 World Cup in Turkey.

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